ECU leaves state for first time this season

ECU quarterback Shane Carden grabs the helmet of wide receiver Lance Ray in celebration after the two hooked up for a touchdown last week in Chapel Hill. The Pirates (3-1) take on Middle Tennessee State Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Quarterback Logan Kilgore has thrown for 811 yards with five touchdowns and six interceptions, while Jordan Parker is the Blue Raiders’ main threat carrying the ball.

The Blue Raiders are coached by Rick Stockstill and their losses this season are to the Tar Heels and BYU.

“It was a good day today, our guys did a good job of what we call ‘attacking the day,’” ECU coach Ruffin McNeill said after Wednesday’s practice. “They’re (MTSU) very good. Rick’s done a good job recruiting and they’re a tough bunch.”

The Pirate offense exploded in the victory over UNC and the defense looked very sharp in spurts.

Defensive back Chip Thompson led the team with nine tackles and an interception against North Carolina and linebacker Brandon Williams registered seven and one for loss.

“Middle Tennessee is a physical team. They are good up front and we have a physical team also. I feel like we have the advantage,” Thompson said.

Williams has been filling in since injuries occurred to Pirates’ starters Kyle Tudor and Jeremy Grove.

Williams has displayed solid play in two games versus Virginia Tech and North Carolina.

“(MTSU are a run downhill football team that we have to stop the run game to shut down,” Williams said. “Our goal is to win the conference championship and we are just approaching it like we did last week versus Carolina.”

On offense, the Pirates feel they have very few troubles, as Carden is as hot as anyone, starting the season throwing for 1,172 yards and 11 touchdowns to just four picks.

Throw in the stellar running of Vintavious Cooper, who ran for a career-high 186 yards against the Tar Heels and All-Conference receiver Justin Hardy, and the Pirates offense is loaded for bear.

ECU and MTSU will kick off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. from Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Jordan Honeycutt can be reached at 252-635-5670 or at Jordan.Honeycutt@newbernsj.com. Follow Jordan on Twitter @JHONEYnbsj29